Equal Footing is now IMIA accredited!

By Ousia Whitaker-DeVault

We are very excited to announce that our Interpreter training program “Equal Footing,” recently received official accreditation through the IMIA Commission of Interpreter Education (CMIE) December 22nd, and we are entering this year commitmented to provide more interpreter education.

CMIE uses external peer review and evaluation of the program curricula and training practices to recognize superior training programs, and to establish industry standards for the training of medical interpreters. Achieving accreditation means that Equal Footing has met the standards set by the commission for the training program, online requirements, documentation of students, adding of prerequisites, and has passed an audit.

As many of you know, SWITS’ “Equal Footing” course aims to place Limited English Proficiency persons on equal footing with those who speak and understand English, via the
education of community and medical interpreters. The program helps individuals to improve their proficiency in their working languages, and to gain a deeper understanding of the role of the interpreter, and of the Codes of Ethics relevant to interpreting. SWITS currently offers “Equal Footing” at Rock Valley College and at the College of Lake County, and will create more opportunities to enroll this year.